5880

Consecration of Candidates

5880. (Then the candidates shall kneel for a brief season of silent prayer, after which the presiding minister or other appointed minister shall pray extemporaneously or use the following:)

Our Father, who called Stephen, Philip, and other lay members into the service of Your church, look upon these Your servants who are to be set apart to service as ____________. Give, we pray, such understanding of Your holy gospel, such firmness of Christian purpose, such diligence in service, and such beauty of life in Christ, that they may be to all whom they teach or serve a worthy revelation of the meaning and power of the Christian life. May they so order their time and nourish their minds and hearts that they may constantly grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and steadily increase in the ability to lead others unto Him. Grant that they may have strength of body, mind, and soul for the fulfillment of Your will in the holy task to which You have called them; and grant them Your Holy Spirit, that they may worthily discharge the work committed to them, to the blessing of all people and to the praise of Christ our Savior. Amen.

(Then the presiding minister shall address the candidates, saying:)

May the Spirit of the living God descend upon you and abide with you always. May His holy anointing impart to you the grace for every trial, and gifts for every duty. May His presence be to you a pillar of cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night, all along the journey of life. And may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you now and evermore. Amen.